Urban enterprise

Strategic Investment Framework

Urban enterprise is one of three priorities within the Competitiveness Operational Programme (2007 to 2013). The strategic objectives of the competitiveness operational programme are to:

• increase productivity of the region's business base
• reduce intra-regional disparities
• work towards reducing carbon emissions and a low carbon economy

Urban enterprise aims to increase the level of enterprise creation in some of the region's most deprived neighbourhoods. How this will be achieved in Plymouth is set out in our Strategic Investment Framework programme.

The Strategic Investment Framework is a strategy currently in development which targets funding on helping deprived communities in Plymouth to realise their entrepreneurial potential by providing an additional level of help and practical support.

The Strategic Investment Framework (SIF) vision is as follows:

'to unlock the potential of Plymouth’s disadvantaged/deprived communities through enabling business growth and the development of an aspirational, enterprising and entrepreneurial culture amongst its residents'.

The full strategic investment framework strategy and implementation plan may be downloaded below:

Plymouth's strategic investment framework for urban enterprise (part one of two) [1.7MB]

Plymouth's strategic investment framework for urban enterprise (part two of two) [1.1MB]

Implementation plan [1MB]

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Programme update

The existing Plymouth Urban Enterprise Programme which runs to 2013 never commissioned any infrastructure projects. This missing element provides the primary thrust of the task to extend the UE programme through applying for the £6.7 million potentially available.

We would anticipate extending the existing revenue programme comprising Enterprise Coaching, Intensive Start Up Support and Understanding Finance for Business which would use up approximately £1.5 to £2million of the £6.7million.

The following documents are to help in the preparatory work that will be needed prior to formal submission of an ERDF application form.

ERDF application form [450KB]

ERDF user manual - chapter 2: eligibility rules [1.37MB]

ERDF social sustainability [814KB]

ERDF revenue generating projects - article 55 and state aid [553KB]

General guidance to Urban Enterprise infrastructure strand [302KB]

Expression of interest form [161KB]

Original Strategic Investment Framework objectives and outputs for enterprise infrastructure [817KB]

Key milestones

• End of December 2011 - a demonstration of real progress in the development of projects so that an updated Strategic Investment Framework phase 2 delivery plan presentation to DCLG can give reassurance that the grant monies potentially available are secure and ring-fenced to Plymouth
• March 2012 – target date for submission of ERDF application forms with business plans. This is the latest stage where ERDF need to know there is a project and that it's going to happen
• June 2012 – target date for formal ERDF application approvals
• September 2012 – target date for start on site for individual projects
• December 2013 - the latest possible commitment date where an ERDF project contract can be signed although any project start dates lapsing into 2013 will increase the risk of the overall programme delivery
• December 2015 - deadline for all spend to be processed - financial completion

For further information, please contact the Economic Development Team on 01752 304882 or email invest@plymouth.gov.uk.

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